Sidbury Cricket Club, leading a rip-roaring season, strengthened their promotion chances with a 60-run trouncing of Bideford and North Devon.

Bideford had journeyed south, intending both to bolster their season and to upset Sidbury's promotion hopes.

However, their ambitions were quashed by Sidbury's responsive team led by stand-in skipper Ed Chester, despite the home team's regular captain, Alex Paget being out of action.

While the superb outfield was the ideal setting for an exciting cricket match, the wicket preparation received lambasting.

Nevertheless, Sidbury's top order made good use of it, managing to score despite losing wickets frequently.

The game took a turn when De Moubray partnered with Steve Howe, crafting a partnership of 68 runs.

The former outshined, hitting three gigantic sixes and leading the individual scoring with 39 runs.

Late contributions from Chester and Soren Hall added a substantial amount to Sidbury's total, putting up a robust score of 181 runs on the board.

Meanwhile, Sidbury's top-scorer Damien Armes was noticeably subdued.

Determined to compensate after lunch, Armes swiftly knocked out Bideford's openers using his crippling inswingers, ending with a haul of 4-18 wickets.

Despite Bideford's Ian Hayter's feisty 42 runs, their effort to topple Sidbury's score fell short.

The damage was further accelerated when Olly Paget and Sam Sanders cleaned up the remaining Bideford line-up, leaving them all out for a comparatively low total of 121 runs.

As a result of the triumphant display, Sidbury stands proudly atop the league standings, with only five matches left.

However, the anticipation remains high with their upcoming fixtures against the second and third-placed teams yet to be contested.

These matches could ultimately pave the path for Sidbury's promotion.